chosing a song for chord/melody

[billkath]

Is there a line you shouldn't cross when picking a song for Chord/melody?
Driving home from gigging tonight i heard this song playing on the radio, and thought-yeah-that'd be a good one. Now-i have had a glass or two of the "Craitur" since getting home, so I might not be thinking this through!!!

(listener warning-although this song contains no swearing, it may well cause you distress, as will looking at their haircuts)

YouTube Video

So-This isn't jazz, or very old, but it does have a nice melody and a chord structure that might lend itself to jazz/swing.
Any thoughts? Apart from "Jaysus, Bill-I feel so sorry for you liking this song"

[mr. beaumont]

Absolutely no line. DO IT!!!

I regularly do Blink 182's "Adam's Song." People don't even know what it is, but it works...Nothing's off limits in my opinion, unless the song just sucks.

all you need is a strong, preferably not too repetitive melody (however that's not the case in the afforementioned Blink tune--catchy, yes, but repetitive as hell...)

[gadjo]

It's a nicely written song in spite of the cheese factor and i'm sure it would morph very well in the process of becoming proper instrumental jazz.

It could be a problem if you played some Gaga hit or something like that which might throw some people off their good mood no matter how well the execution.

[fivebells]

I had forgotten that song, and those guys. It's a nice melody. I bet they're not still wearing that much hairspray or those skin-tight muscleshirts.

[JohnW400]

ANY tune is fair game

[derek]

I agree. Chord melody is an approach to playing. It is not limited by any genre of music. The only requisite is a strong melody imo. There are methods, like Conti's, to beef up a weak chord progression and make it more compelling.

Some nontraditional CM tunes I do are:

Desparado - Eagles
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder
Ribbon In The Sky - Stevie Wonder
Poker Face - Lady GaGa (just kidding, though it has a strong melody, could work)

3 Beatles tunes, Theme from Flintstones, and a couple of Burt Bacharach tunes. I say anything is fair game.

[billkath]

Mny thanks, Guys. Nice to know that others are playing non-traditional songs in this manner.

[FatJeff]

There's a guy on YouTube that regularly does BeeGees and Hall & Oates CM. They're actually quite nice, IMO. So go for it!

See what I mean:

YouTube - Kanaal van jreichbart

[woyvel]

Most of what I do is not necessarily considered jazz, but IS what we call chord/melody, so you have my blessing (like THAT matters). The song you chose is strong on melody and structure, so I think you're right in thinking it would be a good choice,as long as a) you don't sing it, and b) you don't show people that video EVER AGAIN.

[billkath]

I promise!!

[TommyD]

Not that it matters, but are they boys, or girls?

[billkath]

Originally Posted by TommyD

Not that it matters, but are they boys, or girls?

Don't know, but i don't fancy your one much

[mr. beaumont]

this thread has inspired me to work out madonna's "like a prayer" for solo guitar. Look out, spaghetti-eaters of the world, here I come.

[mr. beaumont]

post edited because it is no longer funny as the spammers account it made fun of has been deleted.

[amusiathread]

As a joke, I revisited my adolescent "Metal Days" and put together a CM arrangement of "Reign in Blood" by slayer, and played it at a couple restaurant gigs. Overall the song wasn't great for it, but there were a few progressions in there lent themselves well to the setting, and it was fun to play (a couple times).

[derek]

Originally Posted by amusiathread

As a joke, I revisited my adolescent "Metal Days" and put together a CM arrangement of "Reign in Blood" by slayer, and played it at a couple restaurant gigs. Overall the song wasn't great for it, but there were a few progressions in there lent themselves well to the setting, and it was fun to play (a couple times).

Hehe. How many were correct with "name that tune"? Next up might be War Pigs by Sabbath.

[mike_k]

"War Pigs" has already been done.

YouTube Video

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I'm tempted to do a Lady Gaga song, if only as an excuse to wear a bra that shoots flames. There, I said it!

[fivebells]

This fusiony version of "Crazy Train" has potential:

YouTube Video

A plethora of major 7ths and a neat solo in this elevator-jazz "Enter Sandman":

YouTube Video

[derek]

Originally Posted by mike_k

"War Pigs" has already been done.

Yeah, I mentioned it because it is one of the tunes Alex did on his first two trio discs featuring metal anthems. However, I have yet to hear WP done CM style.

[derek]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I'm tempted to do a Lady Gaga song, if only as an excuse to wear a bra that shoots flames. There, I said it!

Yes, but if you wore one, it would be called a Bro, or a Manzier.

[woyvel]

Pianist Brad Meldau does a nice, legit version of "Black Hole Sun". Alice Cooper's "Only Women Bleed" would be nice for the spaghetti crowd. Always fun to throw something in that will make people say "Oh, that was beautiful. What's it called? Who's it by?"

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by woyvel

Pianist Brad Meldau does a nice, legit version of "Black Hole Sun". Alice Cooper's "Only Women Bleed" would be nice for the spaghetti crowd. Always fun to throw something in that will make people say "Oh, that was beautiful. What's it called? Who's it by?"

I kind of think of Brad's re-imagining of pop/rock tunes as the gold standard nowadays. The "wonderwall" on that last live disc is kick ass too--and I HATE that song!

[woyvel]

After hearing a snippet of Larry Coryell doing "Black Dog" I've decided to do a swingin' Aerosmith medley that I think will actually work. Some of their hits have real strong melodies, strong hooks, and open up to extended chords (...well, 7ths and 9ths). I've heard "Sweet Emotion" with Steven Tyler (vocalist) singing a 7th harmony on the chorus.

[FatJeff]

Originally Posted by woyvel

After hearing a snippet of Larry Coryell doing "Black Dog" I've decided to do a swingin' Aerosmith medley that I think will actually work. Some of their hits have real strong melodies, strong hooks, and open up to extended chords (...well, 7ths and 9ths). I've heard "Sweet Emotion" with Steven Tyler (vocalist) singing a 7th harmony on the chorus.

That's a great song, but I'm not so certain how well it would fit a CM arrangement. The main verse harmony is quite static. But, prove me wrong! I'd like to hear what you're thinking.

[ottocat]

I've been working up "This Old Man". In another thread a guy said he did"Eensy Weensy Spider" , Children's melodies and old folk songs.
Seems to me to there is an endless well of melodies out there .
I had been having fun with Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man "
Playing and singing it . Second verse "and if you love him you'll forgive him"
Wifey's voice , "Bill I've heard just about enough of that tune". Hilarious song with me singing it.

[pancholyka]

Originally Posted by billkath

Is there a line you shouldn't cross when picking a song for Chord/melody?
Driving home from gigging tonight i heard this song playing on the radio, and thought-yeah-that'd be a good one. Now-i have had a glass or two of the "Craitur" since getting home, so I might not be thinking this through!!!

(listener warning-although this song contains no swearing, it may well cause you distress, as will looking at their haircuts)



So-This isn't jazz, or very old, but it does have a nice melody and a chord structure that might lend itself to jazz/swing.
Any thoughts? Apart from "Jaysus, Bill-I feel so sorry for you liking this song"

I like it. Sounds like jazz to me, and ought to make a great chord solo. I think I hear some major sevenths in there... and a good 2/5/1 progression. Lots to work with.